- Abertillery Online Discussion Forum -

Carolyn · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 1493 Location: Abertillery

Has Bob Smith sold the Dolls House or is it under new management? Question

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Borracha · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 43

Not sure but I saw it advertised for sale in last week's Gazette.

Does anyone know what sort of numbers the place attracts when they have bands playing there? It's just that I've noticed a couple of bands advertised there but it costs £10 to get in! I realise the bands have to be paid but it seems a bit expensive. I'm just wondering whether the price seems to put people off going there or if there is usually a good crowd???

Carolyn · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 1493 Location: Abertillery

I saw the add in the paper last week he is selling the old co-op in Blaina as well.

I don't go there so would not know how many it attracts notice crowds of youngsters outside on the front and pavement you have to walk on the opposite side or out an around them on the bend. not all of them appear to be smokers but whether they have been inside or not is difficult to say as he windows are always open and the muscic quit load so maybe they just congregate to listen. I know a lot of youngsters come from out of town for the bands, at least one of the four Ebbw Vale girls that were killed on the mountain in that fatal crash was making her way to the Dolls House the following day
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My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more!

Borracha · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 43

I don't go to see bands that often but £10 is the sort of price I'd expect to pay to get into TJ's in Newport to see a semi well known band. Seems a bit much to pay to get into a small pub in Abertillery Laughing

Damned08 · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Blaina

We are in the process of purchasing The Dolls House off Bob. We are hoping to run it as a cafe bar during the day offering food and coffee etc. During the evenings and weekends we are hoping to attract older crowds with live music (Tribute acts/acoustic nights etc) and maybe 70's/80's discos. We would also like to take advantage of the excellent function room and facilities and try and promote more weddings and parties etc.

If anyone has got any ideas as to what they'd like to see or do, please let me know.

martyn142 · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

That sounds brilliant. I freely admit part of the 'older crowd' though. Laughing

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honeybunny · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Abertillery

That's flipping Great news its been years since theres been that kind of disco in Aber the dolls house is a great place for that kind of thing, it will be like the lymes disco used to be back in the day.Are you planning to do sunday lunch and meals in the evening as well. Very Happy

Ian · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 138 Location: Abertillery

Oh no disco Exclamation

I don't know whether to look for my flares and gold medallion ,or get out the bell and shout 'unclean' !!

Seriously though having watched many bands in the Dolls House,the turn out amongst the 'older'crowd depended on how decent the band were.I'd say there were a hardcore group who would turn out,but would leave fairly sharpish if the band weren't up to scratch or if the disco reared it's head.The problem you'd have was that most of the profit to be made on those nights left with them. Confused

Anyway it'll be nice to see the place with some life in it again,a couple of weeks ago we out numbered the bar staff on a Saturday night and there were only 2 of us Confused

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Damned08 · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Blaina

Our longer term plan is to offer Sunday Lunches and evening meals, but until we take over, we don't know how this is going to pan out.

Ian I understand your comments, but we are hoping to cater for all tastes. I've been to the last few tribute nights (AC/DC and The Who) and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest.

As I said in my previous post, if you've got any ideas or preferences as to what you'd like to see at The Dolls, please let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Brithyll · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 65 Location: Abertyleri

I'd like to see some decent ale being sold.

The only reason I don't drink at all in Abertillery is the fact that only lager and cream-flow beers are available. If a pint of Marstons Pedigree or Old Speckled Hen were flowing through the pumps then, and only then, would I be even remotely interested in drinking in Aber.

What about supporting local breweries who produce some wonderful real ales with different, distinct flavours. And don't tell me that it won't sell either. The last time a local tavern sold Pedigree the barrel was drained in less than a week. Variety is needed, not just the same tasteless garbage that pubs in the valleys tend to deliver. Rolling Eyes

Allbright? Do me a favour. Razz

Anyone for a Butcombe Blonde?
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martyn142 · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:58 am Post subject:

Brithyll

Whilst I too would love to see more pubs offering real ale in Aber, including the Dolls House, it isn't true there isn't any available. The Commercial always has a guest ale and it's usually pretty good. I don't tend to go to any other pubs in town but I do know Jan stocks some nice bottled beers in the Carpenters, St Illtyd's.
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Brithyll · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 65 Location: Abertyleri

I was told that the Commercial had withdrawn the real ale recently. It was the Commercial that sold the Pedigree I mentioned in my previous post. A pity that only one pub amongst many, though, will bother. The landlord told us that the pubs cater for youngsters because they spend the money and I can't argue against his 'their business ethic. They are there to make money.

Roll on the arrival of Wetherspoons and a choice.
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martyn142 · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

You might be right - I haven't been in there for a few months. I hope not though because I hate creamflow too. By the way have you come across Brains Smooth Sad

Never mind I am waiting for my first batch of home-brew in about 30 years to come to maturity and I am busy planning my next brew Very Happy

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Brithyll · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 65 Location: Abertyleri

Haven't tried the Brains smooth but they, Brains, would be a good alternative to the usual lagers etc. in Aber. I work in Cardiff and have tasted a lot of their Xmas specials and winter warmers over the years.

Let me know how the home brew turns out, haven't made any for years.
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martyn142 · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject:

I'll let you know how I get on.The kits have moved on enormously since I last made some. The one I used has powdered malt and dried hops. I am intending on trying a couple and then getting a boiler to make it from malted barley.

Brains Smooth is I think a creamflow product. I was really disappointed to see they had gone down that route.
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Never eat anything bigger than your head.